When completed in 1957, it was the largest telescope in the world, and immediately became famous for tracking the rocket carrying the Soviet Union's Sputnik — the world's first artificial satellite — into orbit.

The telescope — which remains in use today — was the only instrument in the West able to track the beachball-sized metal ball's booster rocket through radar.

The observatory said Tuesday that Lovell had left an "immense" legacy.

He is survived by four of his five children, 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.